A building in Vidaz Estate, located within the Sabon Lugbe extension of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), has collapsed, leading to ongoing rescue efforts, according to the FCT Police Command. Five individuals have been rescued from the rubble so far, with no fatalities reported.
The building had initially been demolished by FCT authorities after it was discovered to be on illegally acquired land. Following the initial demolition, the site became a target for scavengers who reportedly tampered with the structure to collect scrap metal. This tampering is believed to have ultimately led to the building’s secondary collapse.
“Preliminary investigations reveal that the building was previously demolished by the FCT authorities due to its location in an illegally acquired area,” stated SP Josephine Adeh, Police Public Relations Officer. She added, “Regrettably, the structure was further compromised by scavengers who had been tampering with the remnants for scrap metal, ultimately leading to its secondary collapse.”
The Police Command has issued a strong warning to the public, advising them to steer clear of demolished buildings and construction sites to ensure their own safety and to prevent future incidents.
“We urge the public to respect the boundaries of demolished structures and construction sites, ensuring their safety and preventing similar occurrences in the future,” Adeh added.
The rescue operations are still ongoing, and authorities continue to monitor the situation to ensure that any further safety risks are mitigated.
